Can anyone tell me if the Mariners Court Hotel in Woolloomooloo is a good location for sightseeing and public transport. Would $121 a night for 2 adults and 2 children ba about the cheapest price available for holidays in early September. Any cheaper suggestions are welcome . Thanks.

Kathy - <BR><BR>I used to live in Wooll. a few years ago, and while I'm not familiar w/ the Mariners Court Hotel - I can tell you that Wooll. is an OK place to stay. Public transport would involve the bus, or a walk to the Kings Cross train station. The walk to the Opera House from there along the water would take about 20 - 30 minutes. I would suggest trying to get a bit closer to the action if possible. I did a quick search on Expedia for early Sept, and there seemed to be some good deals for more centrally located hotels. I would suggest maybe the All Seasons Premier Menzies, which is right in the CBD close to everything (including access to Wynyard Station). Their prices were about the same as the Mariners Court, but the location is much better.

Hi, Kathy!<BR><BR>Frankly, I would advise staying elsewhere. I don't know the specific hotel you are talking about, but I do know that the narrow, lonely streets of Woolloomooloo are not the nicest places to be seen at night, and the area is definitely not a place for children. No shops, no bright lights, a few homeless people in doorways, and on the edge of the red light area. I felt uneasy there a few weeks ago taking my two daughters to a theatre there, and that was at dusk!<BR>Prices change according to demand, so I am a little hesitant in saying to you that I don't think the price you have quoted compares with a couple of other places I know, as it is possible that they have increased their prices since I last checked, around November last year. But the Grand Hotel in Hunter Street had a family room for around $85 back then, and its location is great... right near Wynyard Subway and only a few blocks from the water. If I were you I would check out these three websites and give a couple of the hotels therein a call... even if you spent $10 on phone calls, you might save yourself $50 per night.<BR><BR>http://cs.anu.ed.au/TPHOLs98/hotels.html<BR><BR>www.destination-australia.net/sydcbd/motels<BR><BR>http://Sydney.citysearch.com.au/E/V/SYDNE/0022/99/15/1.html<BR><BR>That last site will show you a photo of the Grand... one of the others mentions the Wynyard Hotel and quotes a rate of around $50 per night, but surely that can't be right.... maybe they don't update the site! Can't hurt to ring them, though!<BR><BR>Best of luck and have a great holiday! You have picked a great month!

Kathy, one more website to follow-up what I wrote above. Have a look at www.cyberspace.com.au/ta/hib.htm.<BR>There you will see reference to the Criterion, which is right in the heart of the Sydney CBD, near the subway, near the Town Hall, near the beautiful Queen Victoria Building, a block from the two major department stores (Grace Bros and David Jones), adjacent to the monorail, and amidst a lot of cheap convenience stores (such as Woolworth Basement). The Criterion has been there for fifty or sixty years -- it's art deco -- and therefore managed to secure a site that the major chains can only dream about. Not so long ago the rooms there cost $46 a night. The catch? I think all the rooms are "share bath". If that doesn't bother you (and you may be lucky enough to find that there was no one else on your floor anyway!) then you can save a packet.

Sorry, I goofed! That website should read "cyberplace", not "cyberspace"!

Alan goof, not he!<BR>I agree with Alan about the 'Loo, I spent a lot of time around there when I was young and it is not a good locale, even if people say it is. It is still the docks area and has everything that goes with that. <BR>I also agree with Alan about the Criterion too, it's clean, good and cheap and in a great location.

Hi, we've just completed booking Pacific International Suites over near the Darling Harbour area but near QVB. It's a nice suite with a seperate bedroom and kitchenette facilities for AUS$130 per night. The online booking staff are friendly in their correspondence. We're going in June so i'm not sure whether you'll get the same rates whenever you're going.<BR><BR>http://www.pacificinthotels.com.au/specials.asp

Thanks to all who have replied. I am sure my family and I will have a great time in Sydney.